Ross Detwiler tries to pitch the Nats to a series victory at Camden Yards.

BALTIMORE — How much is Ryan Zimmerman's right shoulder affecting his ability to play for the Nationals? Apparently not enough to warrant a day off right now.

Yes, Zimmerman is back in Davey Johnson's lineup for today's series finale against the Orioles, back at third base and in the No. 3 spot in the batting order. This despite a .218 average, .590 OPS and last night's admission that he may need a cortisone shot and another DL stint at some point.

Ross Detwiler, meanwhile, makes his return to the rotation today after spending the last three weeks in the bullpen. The left-hander believes he's built his arm strength up enough to approach 100 pitches if needed, but we'll see how far Johnson lets him go.

Given Zim's admission that he can't catch up to fastballs with his shoulder the way it is, I'm surprised that Davey continues to put him in the lineup. There's a degree of desperation here that seems to have little professional baseball merit.

Harper has 211 PA. So, if he could get 6 PA today, he'll qualify, right? (OK, yes, I know it's doubtful — when was the last time the Nats batted around 5 times in a games . . . )We did bat around 5 times in that 14 inning fiasco against the Yankees. Harper struck out 5 times and went 0-7. For his sake, and the sake of the bullpen, let's hope that doesn't happen again anytime soon!

Cosnidering DeRosa could come back soon, he'd be a nice replacement for Zim. He's not as good as Zim is when Ryan's at his best, but he'll be enough to fill in if Zim is going to be out for two weeks on the DL. If DeRosa's not going to be back tonight, he could be leaving Zim in for one more day to see if he can get it together, otherwise he'll go to the DL and DeRosa will come back to play at third.

Taino in DC said… Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.Who needs different results? The Nats have been playing close to a .600 clip even with an injured RZ — I'll keep taking that!(OK, granted, RZ was out for some games, I didn't bother figuring out what the pct is for with and without)

when Zim goes on DL, will Lombo play 3rd. It seems to make the most sense, you could have Moore, Harper and Morse in outfield, Lombo, Desmod Espi and LaRoche infield.I really do not want to see DeRosa in lineup, can the guy even hit?

Don't get too excited about replacing DeRosa replacing Zimmerman! Have you forgotten that DeRosa batted a remarkable .081/.227/.081 before he got hurt?? He's also batting .000 in three games in the minors.For as bad as Zimm's batting stats have been, they're positively Ruthian compared to DeRosa.

NatsJack, no.Have you been paying attention to Youk recently? He's a shell of the player he used to be. His defense at 3B is poor (there's a reason he played first before AGonzalez arrived). And his bat is just as bad as Zimmerman's, and I'm much more optimistic that the 27 year old will turn it around before the 33 year old.

Zim: take your shot; take a seat; help the team.Wasn't this hashed out yesterday? Do we think Zim is miraculously going to 'recover' and start tearing it up? Johnson and Zim are still in denial.Take a seat, Zim. the best thing for you and the team at this time.

DC Wonk, i think we could have done better with a healthy and productive Zimm than the one we have right now (whose 'presence' has given team 33-22 record eq of .6 win%).It would be nice to have Youk if he only needs a change of scenery to get back to being Youk of old.

Youkilis is also owed $12mil this year, and $1mil for a buyout next season. He also won't cost a bag of balls, meaning we'd have to give something of value for him. And for what? A downgrade? Lombardozzi is more than capableof playing if/when Zimmerman goes to the DL (and literally 30 times cheaper).

We already have several "Youks' ie. washed up players, shadows of their past: Wang, Nady, DeRosa, and I hate to say it — put Ankiel in there too.Even considering Youk is absolutely unsound, even insane.

Mick: it is sad when our favorites can't get it done anymore. Who doesnt like Youk — but its the Youk of old, not today.I fear that Zim has an old body. I know I'm way out there in the speculation, but he is injury prone — almost brittle — and it does happen to players. Maybe Zim is one of those — I hope not!

Natslady: unfortunately, 3b is a power position. You simply have to have power and run production from 3b to be successful. It is so rare to find a 3B who plays just for defense — I can't even name one.

NatsFanJim said…Natslady: unfortunately, 3b is a power position. You simply have to have power and run production from 3b to be successful. It is so rare to find a 3B who plays just for defense — I can't even name one.June 24, 2012 1:14 PM________________________________________________________________What? We haven't been successful?Also, I remember a pretty good Yankee team with Clete Boyer at third. Great glove, so so bat.

According to Charlie and Dave on the pregame, RZ was going to be checked out by the doctor before the game. If doc gave him clearance he was going to play. It sounded like they are trying to time the shot/possible DL trip around the AllStar break. Wow, lots of empty seats today at the top of the 1st. Hope the Nats fans fill them up

NatsFanJim said…Natslady: unfortunately, 3b is a power position. You simply have to have power and run production from 3b to be successful."Really? Says who?World Series Champs 3B2008: Pedro Feliz2009: Alex Rodriguez2010: Juan Uribe2011: David Freese/Daniel DescalsoSure is a bunch of MVPs!I'll also add that over the past 3 years, 3B have slugged .403. Know what the league average slugging percentage is? .402.Seems like it's not necessary to have a big bat at 3B after all…

DCWonk – I was thinking the same thing Re: Red Sox – yes, Valentine can be an ass. I know a lot of smart baseball people who have followed the team for years. Apparently Youklis wanted Francona gone, complained about him all the time – now he has issues with Valentine. Seems the rest of the team is ready to play ball and get along with Valentine but Youklis can't let it go. He seems to think it's his clubhouse due to his longevity and success. The folks who are long-term fans in Boston are ready for him to go – they feel that he will be disgruntled wherever he is and doesn't realize his glory days are past. Our clubhouse seems to have fantastic chemistry and I would hate to see anything divisive get in there.

Ugh, they keep swinging at pitches outside the zone!Morse swung at two, Espinosa just swung at three outside the zone… Arrieta has now thrown 44 strikes and 38 balls. That number would be wayyy different if the Nats just watched every pitch. I haven't been keeping track, but I'd bet something like a quarter to a third of those strikes have been due to the Nats chasing balls.Sometimes being aggressive is a good thing, but against Arrieta, a pitcher with control problems and a 5.67 ERA, now is not that time. Let Arrieta beat himself. I won't take much effort.

When was the last time Ross went very deep into a game – can't remember? I know he went almost four as a reliever the last start when he was dominant. Davey said maybe 80 pitches today. Has Wang been warming up since yesterday? Does anyone else think we should be hitting this guy much harder than we are? It seems we are getting hits but not bearing down and scoring off him. Maybe his stuff is deceptive, but it just looks like they are getting themselves out ( again?).

When was the last time Ross went very deep into a game – can't remember? I know he went almost four as a reliever the last start when he was dominant.Well, in his last start he threw 100 pitches — but it was only 4.1 innings.He did go 6 or 6.1 in four straight starts earlier in the year.fwiw

About RossD – Usually you hear an organization talk about how carefully they develop their first round picks. In this case the "previous administration" did not do that, plus he has had some injuries. I think it is time for them to decide that he is or is not a starter and stick with the plan for him. Especially this year his development has been hindered by the extreme pampering of Wang. He is going to fail and make lots of mistakes and get in lots of jams. He has to learn the stuff he missed earlier and do some catching up. He is by far the rawest of our starters. He has the stuff, but he needs McCatty probably more than all the others combined. Also — so what the heck happened to what miniscule offense we originally had? Disappeared completely?

natsjack… i am baseball fan who like to watch pro's perform and i expect the same from the umpire. so i guess you think Earl weaver was a12 year old? Earl would have humiliated that garbage behind the plate. this umpire knew he missed several pitches, when ross shows a little annoyance 9as he should) this juvenile umpire make the strike zone smaller, so who is the 12 year old here

maybe natsjack… but not as immature as a professional umpire making a strike zone smaller because a young pitcher calls him out by shaking his head after about 5-6 horrible calls. remember, the umpire is paid to be a pro

mick, it's your language.We have had requests from Mark to clean it up.Look, man, I work construction in a very redneck world. Foul language is very much a part of my existence, but out of respect to both Mark, and the young readers we all try to keep it rated G.BTW, I don't think the ump has very consistent either.

I think the Nats have to make room to pick up a dynamic hitter this offseason, whether it's a catalyst like Bourn, or Upton, who is younger and has more pop.That would mean LaRoche or Morse has to go, because Werth isn't going anywhere. It's a difficult decision. LaRoche has rebounded nicely and plays stellar defense. Morse showed his potential last year.And yet, the offense remains lethargic and inconsistent.Exciting bats are coming, but Rendon, Goodwin and Skole are a couple of years away.Don't they need to go get a bat?

So , still one run, huh? Off that starter? Sheesh. Detweiler has the stuff to be an elite pitcher. He is also very raw and immature. McCatty can mold him if they have a plan and work with him. He will grow up. Our hitters? Maybe not. I can feel the breezes from Ankiels swing all the way down here in Virginia. I also question why Davey does not play the hot hand in Tyler Moore. What a weird game. RZ with the only RBI. Go figure.

cant really fault Sean, when you have a lame offense where your so called best players strikeout and hit into DP's consistently, this is what happens. Still waiting for offense to come around 70 plus games into season.Drew is right!

here was the problem. the catcher sets up out side, and Burnett hits glove spot, and single to right. That is what one expects, why was Espi so far up the middle on an outside pitch, Not sure he could get to it if square up but there was no way Jones would hit it where he was if the pitch was right.

I'm sure some of the people who post here will find a way to blame Sean Burnett for this. Scoring only one run off a mediocre pitcher has nothing to do with it. I just can't be upset with him as good as he has been. The law of averages will catch up with you eventually.It's still a one- run game. We used to stage late game rallies all the time. Remember that?

"Blame Sean Burnett"? Well, he did leave the pitch out over the plate to a guy with power, but he's been gold for them all season otherwise, so even if it was a total mistake pitch, stuff happens. As you say, every game he comes into is late and close.

If you pitch on the outside part of the plate you want the guy to hit to right. That part of the pla was good. Your secondbaseman is playing like you are pitching over the middle of the plate. he didn't get the message. He hit was good. The positioning was poor. Now could eespi get it if he played for him to get to right, who knows. 5 runs in 27 innings. by both teams. Our hitters are not pulling their eigh. Time for a wake up call to someone.

They watch it and refuse to accept it. NatsJack, it's much harder to show off when other people are doing well. When they aren't doing well, it's easier to say "I told you so" than to do well yourself. Critics always have the advantage over artists in that regard.